Employees at Ubisoft have been encouraged to initiate a strike in October due to the company's policy mandating a return to the office
Employees at Ubisoft's French offices have been encouraged to participate in a three-day strike next month, prompted by the company's updated office attendance rules.
The strike is organized by the French video game workers' union STJV, following an announcement from the Assassin's Creed developer that workers would need to be present in the office a minimum of three days weekly from now on.
The union has criticized the move, arguing it was implemented "without any clear rationale or consultation with worker representatives."
When contacted by GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft declined to comment on the matter.
STJV stated, "For more than five years, employees have been effectively working remotely. Many have adapted their personal lives to this arrangement, which makes a return to the prior setup unfeasible," according to their statement encouraging the strike.
The union further argued that the company is aware of these circumstances and that the decision would lead to job losses, disrupt numerous gaming projects, and significantly heighten psychosocial risks among the remaining workforce.
These developments occur after fruitless negotiations regarding profit-sharing and salaries, where STJV deemed the company's proposals "unacceptable," with leadership refusing to consider employee suggestions.
STJV has thus scheduled a strike for all French Ubisoft employees from October 15 to October 17, 2024.
The union is insisting Ubisoft establish a formal remote work agreement through negotiations between management and STJV, alongside an immediate salary increase to "offset the decline in living standards experienced in recent years."
This news comes shortly after Ubisoft adjusted its financial projections and postponed the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows to February 2025, attributing the delay to "lessons learned from the Star Wars Outlaws release." Following the game's launch, Ubisoft's stock price dipped to its lowest in a decade, dropping more than 50% over the past year.
Moreover, the company is initiating an internal assessment "in response to recent challenges" to discover methods for improving game releases, player engagement, and value for shareholders and stakeholders.
